Generator remote start not working

[skunkman]

I can't start or stop my generator remotely. The cabin remote has power and accurately shows how many hours of use I have. I hit mode button and the start prompt does not appear. Am I missing something?

 

[cwiert]

What kind of generator or set up do you have? I had a very similar issue this past year and mine ended up being that the remote bypass switch on the generator itself was inadvertently flicked on. I hope yours is as simple as that.

 

[hottoddie]

What generator? Is this a new or long term term problem? My 8kw Westerbeke needed to have a slave solenoid added to the start circuit due to the Sea Ray wiring being incapable of maintaining adequate voltage to the cabin remote panel.

 

[skunkman]

What generator? Is this a new or long term term problem? My 8kw Westerbeke needed to have a slave solenoid added to the start circuit due to the Sea Ray wiring being incapable of maintaining adequate voltage to the cabin remote panel.

It is a Kohler and it is a new problem. Starts up fine at the generator

 

[Little Ducky]

I would check the breakers and fuses on the generator.

The manual gives some great trouble shooting advice.

Almost forgot to ask ...... does your CO alarm have it's green indicator light on?

If it's off or red light on the generator will not start.

 

[skunkman]

The CO alarm is good. The generator starts at the generator just not remotely

 

[Nauti-Kal]

I had an issue this summer where the westerbeke gen would not start from the breaker panel but would start the n the generator start switch, after process of elimination we found a wire connector was disconnected in the back of the start switch! Connected the wire and whalla, all good in the neighborhood!

 

[Bop]

I had a the same issue with my Kohler on my previous boat. There is a wiring harness for the remote that is on top of the genny. It had wiggled itself loose. I reconnected it and it was fine. Check that.

 

[k9medic]

What generator? Is this a new or long term term problem? My 8kw Westerbeke needed to have a slave solenoid added to the start circuit due to the Sea Ray wiring being incapable of maintaining adequate voltage to the cabin remote panel.

Tell me more about this please... My 8kw diesel will run from the remote if I hold the start button down but as soon as I release it, it will shut off. It runs fine when bypassing it in the engine room.

 

[hottoddie]

Tell me more about this please... My 8kw diesel will run from the remote if I hold the start button down but as soon as I release it, it will shut off. It runs fine when bypassing it in the engine room.

Sounds like a different issue. Mine would not engage the starter and crank at all, yours does but stops when you release the start switch. You are either low on oil or have a failed by-pass system with a bad oil pressure, coolant temp or exhaust temp sensor causing the generator to shut down when you release the start switch. Start by checking your oil then you will have to jumper across each sensor to see if the generator will keep running when you release the start switch. If it does you have found the culprit.

 

[Boater420]

Sounds like a different issue. Mine would not engage the starter and crank at all, yours does but stops when you release the start switch. You are either low on oil or have a failed by-pass system with a bad oil pressure, coolant temp or exhaust temp sensor causing the generator to shut down when you release the start switch. Start by checking your oil then you will have to jumper across each sensor to see if the generator will keep running when you release the start switch. If it does you have found the culprit.

But he said it runs fine if it's started in the engine room, so it must be something with the remote.

 

[rwg]

I had to replace the switch in the control panel to get my kohler generated to start remotely. took a little time to find replacement

 

[MikeBravo]

My generator, kohler 5ecd, would not start remotely. Turned out the ground wire was bad. Ran a new wire from the generator to the remote start, all good now. Was a bear to diagnose though.